FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to Okehampton’s Ray Vallance, who died on Monday last week (February 17) at the age of 87.

Ray was well-known and loved in the area for his talents as an entertainer and as a regular in The Courtenay Players. He also served on the town council and did a stint as town mayor.

Ray was born and bred in Inwardleigh to a farming family and was the eldest for three brothers. His brother Morley, known as Janny, died on December 30 while the third brother Norman died some years ago.

Ray’s son Perry explained that his father moved to Okehampton after meeting his wife-to-be Margaret in 1950.

‘Mum was born and bred in Okehampton so that was it’ said Perry. ‘They got married in 1953 and lived in various places in Okehampton, including Station Road and Crediton Road as well as Wonnacotts Road, over the years.’

‘When they first got married, dad worked for an agricultural feed company in Folly Gate and used to take feed up to London. Then he left and got a job at British Telecom in Okehampton, ending up as one of the managers.

‘Mum was a warden at The Glen, the old people’s home in Castle Road, and also in Chagford so they lived in Chagford for a time.’

The couple had five children, three boys and two girls, to be joined over time by grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

It was on stage that many people in Okehampton would remember his dad, Perry added.

‘He was in the Courtenay Players when he was younger and we have all followed on, all my family are in the Courtenay Players. Dad also used to be Master of Ceremonies at children’s parties.’

He said Ray was very much an adopted Ocktonian from the moment he met his wife. ‘Dad left the farming to Uncle Norman and Uncle Morley. Mum didn’t fancy being a farmer’s wife, so they moved into town. He was one of the founder members of the Lions in Okehampton and chairman of the Friendly Circle.’

He said his dad was mayor from 1997-99. ‘He loved that and was well-liked as mayor,’ he said.

Friend Dennis Bater, of Hatherleigh, said: ‘I first met Ray when I went to work at the corn merchant of R J Harry at Folly Gate. ‘Ray was someone you took to immediately, he always had that smile and chuckle. He was popular with the farmers he visited from down as far as Tavistock up to Chagford and Ashwater to Dartmoor.

‘When we met up in recent years Ray would often remind me about the snowstorm of 1962/3.

‘He came with me on one occasion to drive among the drifts to Peter Tavy with some hay and cake feed for an ex-army colonel who had animals running out of food. The colonel was so grateful he invited Ray and myself into his kitchen for a snack and then he took out his whisky bottle. I was driving so took it careful but Ray was free to join him. They got on well and Ray laughed most of the way home before falling asleep.’

He and Ray would meet up again in later years when they were serving on Hatherleigh and Okehampton town councils respectively. When Dennis made a film of the second Okehampton Marathon, he asked Ray to do the commentary. ‘All three brothers had that wicked chuckle I will always remember Ray and them.’

A private family funeral on Thursday, March 5 will be followed by tea and a chat at 2pm at the Okehampton Conservative Club to which all are welcome.